Paul Christiansen

in Saigon

The Simple Pleasures of Having Your Hair Washed at the Hairdresser’s

I get my face shaved by sidewalk barbers; stop at every roving laminator I pass to have ticket stubs, photos, and doodles ...

Khôi Phạm

in Saigon

Letter to the People I Met as We Hid From the Rain Under a Bridge Together

“Do not be angry with the rain; it simply does not know how to fall upwards.”— Vladimir Nabokov.

in Hanoi

Hanoi's Bát Tràng Ceramic Village Turns Historic Craft Into Global Fame

Bát Tràng has been producing ceramics for over 700 years, but it’s the recent decades that interest me most: a period in which this small village has mirrored Vietnam’s rapid economic growth.

in Vietnam

Final Merging Plan Brings Vietnam's Locality Number From 63 to 34

After extended working sessions to gather insights from experts and locals, Vietnam’s state government has announced the final version of the country’s administrative map.

in Saigon

Múa Lân Is Officially Recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage

In Chợ Lớn, every Tết, amid the aroma of burning joss sticks and an onslaught of red-color decorations is the echoing beats of lion dance instruments. For generations of Saigoneer, the presence of múa lân, or lion dance, is a sign of festivity and celebration.

Uyên Đỗ

in Saigon

How Saigon's Free Water Coolers Quench Thirst and Spread Kindness

In recent years, stories about climate change's impacts on the lives of Vietnamese people have been increasingly making the news.

Back Stories

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnamese Parents Spend $1.8 Billion/Year For Children’s Overseas Studies

Can Tho receives first direct flight from Bangkok [SGGP] Vietnam behind in tourism workforce race in Southeast Asia, experts fear [Thanh Nien] Vietnam plans to end EVN monopoly in power market ...

in Asia

[Video] China Is Transforming Beijing Into A Supercity 10 Times The Size Of Saigon

China is doing away with strict, decades-old policies that sought to limit the size or Beijing, instead putting the wheels in motion to transform the megacity into a supercity capable of supporting a ...

in Vietnam

Vietnamese Banks Charging ATM Card Holders 30 Kinds of Fees

Taking a page out of their Western counterparts’ playbooks, Vietnamese banks are now charging ATM cardholders a slew of fees to withdraw funds and maintain their accounts.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: 10 Vietnamese Officials Found Using Fake High School Diplomas For Decades

In Vietnam, collagen makes way into hotpot, sausage as panacea [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam Register disciplines corrupt vehicle inspectors in Ho Chi Minh City [Tuoi Tre] Vietnam to build $2.5 billion seaport...

in Saigon

Vietnam Breaks Ground on Country’s Highest Bridge in Saigon

Work on Phuoc Khanh Bridge began in Saigon last Saturday, which, once completed, will have the highest vertical clearance of any bridge in Vietnam.

in Vietnam

Da Nang Threatens To Close Coca-Cola Factory For Dumping Raw Sewage

Coca-Cola is stirring up controversy yet again in Vietnam, with Da Nang threatening to close down its factory following complaints that the multinational corporation has been dumping untreated waste i...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam Dismisses Report Of Defense Minister’s Death

Decree could hasten old building refurbishment [SGGP] Police to install cameras on expressways [Vietnam Plus] Educators urge more training for English-language teachers [Vietnam News]

in Vietnam

Marriage Interviews To Be Scrapped For Vietnamese-Foreigner Couples

If the Ministry of Justice gets its way, marriage interviews for Vietnamese-foreigner couples.

in Vietnam

Weekend News Roundup: Police Probe Elevator Free Fall That Injures 10 People At Da Nang Luxury Hotel

Police probe elevator free fall that injures 10 people at Da Nang luxury hotel [Thanh Nien] 3 policemen jailed for protecting illegal casinos in southern Vietnam [Thanh Nien] Lao Cai ranked in top 1...

in Vietnam

[Photos] Hanoi’s 122-Year-Old Long Bien Bridge Getting Major Overhaul

Repairs to Hanoi’s historic Long Bien Bridge are underway with the aim of both making the structure safer for pedestrians and drivers.

in Asia

Chinese Island Building Destroying Fragile East Sea Ecosystem: Expert

While the geopolitical fracas in the East Sea has strained diplomatic relations between China and its neighbors, more than just regional stability is at stake.

in Saigon

Saigon Embarks On Slum Demolishing Spree

Saigon has come a long way when it comes to removing the slums that once lined nearly every intercity waterway, but tens of thousands of dwellings still remain. As the city pushes ahead with moderniza...

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Those Urinating At Da Nang Beaches To Be Fined Up To $14

Google appoints new Head of Marketing in Vietnam [Vietnam Net] Ha Noi cracks down on unhygienic slaughterhouses [VNS] Deputy PM holds talks with Chinese Vice Premier [Vietnam Plus]

in Asia

[Photos] 32 Of The Most Ridiculously Mistranslated Shirts You Can Find In Asia

Pick any country in Asia and you’re likely to find a treasure trove of clothes with some seriously lost in translation English phrases.

in Saigon

Saigon’s 130-Year-Old People's Law Court to Get $15m Renovation

Saigon has given many of its stately colonial buildings some love in recent months. The latest to join this list is one of the city’s most impressive historical gems – the 130-year-old People's Law Co...

in Saigon

18,600 Trees to Be Cut for Tourist Road Through Can Gio

Saigon authorities have given the go-ahead for a US$8.7 million road through the UNESCO recognized Can Gio biosphere reserve that will necessitate the felling of 18,600 trees.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Vietnam’s Per Capita Income Reaches Nearly $2,200

Northern Vietnam to suffer week-long rainstorm with likely flash floods [Tuoi Tre] Vietnamese boy breaks arms copying Ninja game show [Thah Nien] US tech giants to expand operations in HCM City ...

in Vietnam

[Video] Ly Hoang Nam Becomes First Vietnamese To Win Wimbledon Title

19-year-old Ly Hoang Nam made history last Sunday, becoming the first Vietnamese player to win a title at Wimbledon.

in Saigon

Lightning Strike Forces Closure Of Tan Son Nhat Runway

One of Tan Son Nhat Airport’s two runways will be closed for four days after being damaged by lightning on June 30.

in Vietnam

Morning News Roundup: Burglary Gang Jailed For A Combined 182 Years In Southern Vietnam

Vietnam lychees make presence in Dubai [VOV] Singapore's Garena invests in Vietnam's Foody.vn website [VOV] Vietnam to develop seven logistics centers in 2020 [Vietnam Net]